In Other Words/The Costofliving

by Franklin P. Adams

Layout 2

 

The Costofliving

This is the costofliving—$$

This is the retailer
That raises the costofliving.

This is the wholesaler
That soaks the retailer
That raises the costofliving.

This is the packer
That sticks the wholesaler
That soaks the retailer
That raises the costofliving.

This is the stockman
That charges the packer
That sticks the wholesaler
That soaks the retailer
That raises the costofliving.

This is the farmer
That stings the stockman
That charges the packer
That sticks the wholesaler
That soaks the retailer
That raises the costofliving.

This is the corn upon the farm
Whose cost the farmer views with alarm;
So he stings the stockman
That charges the packer
That sticks the wholesaler
That soaks the retailer
That raises the costofliving.

This is the cow with the crumpled horn,
That must be fed on the farmer’s corn—
The corn the farmer grows on the farm—
The corn whose cost he views with alarm:
So he stings the stockman
That charges the packer
That sticks the wholesaler
That soaks the retailers
That raises the costofliving.

This the consumer all forlorn
Who pays for the cow with the crumpled horn—
The cow that feeds on the farmer’s corn
That grows so fine on the farmer’s farm—
The corn whose cost he views with alarm:
So he stings the stockman
That charges the packer
That sticks the wholesaler
That soakes the retailer
That raises the costofliving.